Stormwater drain clearance: HC asks special committee to meet

The Madras High Court today directed that the special committee constituted by the government should work out a mechanism for clearance of stormwater drains within 10 days.
The order was passed by First Bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan on a PIL by A Narayanan, Director of NGO Change India, stating that the committee, which has to meet every two months, has failed to do so because of the absence of government officials.
The committee was constituted under the chairmanship of managing director of Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
The bench which perused the affidavit filed by principal secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, observed that no progress had been made in connection with the amendment to the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1990, regarding the illegal sewage connections into the stormwater drains.

The members of the committee include the petitioner and other stakeholders. The chairman or his authorised nominee is at liberty to convene a meeting of the special committee and constitute any sub-committee to examine various issues regarding clearance of stormwater drains, the court said.
"We direct for a meeting of this committee within 10 daysfrom today and frequent meetings to be held at least till November to find an immediate solution," the bench said.
The bench adjourned the case for further hearing to November four.